10k 14k 18k 22k and 24k gold are referring to the actual gold content of a metal. This is directly related to the color, durability and price of the metal.
- 24k gold is pure gold that has little to no use within the jewelry industry because it is simply too soft to withstand the everyday wear of jewelry. It has a bold yellow color unlike anything else in the world.
- 22k gold is 92% pure gold with 8% alloy. This is sometimes used in designer jewelry. 22k yellow gold maintains the full color of pure gold but the alloys give the metal a little more durability for wear but is still not recommended for everyday wear.
- 18k gold is 75% pure gold with 25% alloys. This is the highest quality gold that is suitable for wearing everyday but is still quite soft. 18k gold can be yellow, white, green or rose depending on which metals it has been alloyed with.
- 14k gold is 58% pure gold with 42% alloy. It is the most durable gold used in the jewelry industry. It is most suitable for the high intensity wear of today’s women. 14k yellow gold still has a beautiful yellow color with a slightly redder tone than 18k. It can be yellow, white, green or rose depending on which metals it has been alloyed with.
- 10k gold is 41% pure gold with 59% alloy. It is the most affordable gold used in jewelry in the United States. Its color has a more coppery tone than yellow due to the lower pure gold content.
